INFORMATION & REFERRAL SPECIALIST (HOMELESS PROGRAM)

City of Miami; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Miami is seeking a field-based intake specialist to assess and determine eligibility for homeless outreach and service navigation. The role includes coordinating with shelters, housing pathways, and community providers to support at-risk individuals and families.

Responsibilities include conducting assessments, documenting findings, and referring clients to appropriate resources. A valid driver’s license and ability to work varied shifts are required.

Qualifications

• Public-facing communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Experience in outreach or community services is preferred.
• Familiarity with HMIS or client data systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field-based intake and eligibility assessments for clients experiencing homelessness.
• Verify eligibility and determine appropriate shelter, housing, or service referrals.
• Enter and maintain client data accurately in HMIS and related systems.

Skills

Public-facing communication

Community engagement

Documentation & data entry

Team coordination (informal)

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Specialized field-based intake, assessment, eligibility determination, and referral services in support of the City of Miami’s Homeless Outreach and service navigation operations. An employee in this position is responsible for a wide variety of assessments, documentation review, eligibility verification, and service referral activities.

Work involves conducting comprehensive assessments of individuals and families experiencing homelessness; determining appropriate shelter, diversion, or housing pathways; and connecting clients with federal, state, local, and community-based service providers. The employee will be responsible for establishing and maintaining contacts with the appropriate agencies. Independence of judgment is required of an employee of this classification in the performance of these duties.

Serves as the functional lead on an outreach team and is responsible for final determinations regarding eligibility, service referrals, and placement decisions.

Conducts outreach and engagement activities with individuals and families experiencing homelessness in field and community settings.

Determines appropriate service resources in alignment with assessed needs and program requirements.

Develops and maintains a network of supportive service resources to support accurate and timely service referrals.

Provides service navigation guidance, explains eligibility requirements, and outlines next steps in the referral or placement process.

Provides functional guidance to Information & Referral Aides and other support staff regarding assessment procedures, documentation standards, and referral processes; does not exercise formal supervisory authority unless otherwise designated.

Reviews, verifies, and approves documentation to ensure compliance with program eligibility criteria, funding requirements, and data quality standards.

Enters, reviews, validates, and maintains accurate and timely client data in HMIS and other designated systems; ensures adherence to established data quality, reporting, and confidentiality standards.

Submits and authorizes Coordinated Entry referrals and housing documentation in accordance with Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust policies.

Operates computers, tablets, radios, and mobile devices during field operations.

Prepares required assessment summaries, referral documentation, and reports necessary to support program performance and monitoring.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and two (2) years experience in public facing clerical support roles or field-based community engagement.

Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or other vulnerable or underserved populations is preferred. Experience working in human services or healthcare support is desirable.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience beyond a high school diploma or its equivalent and two (2) years of the required experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid driver's license from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized upon application, however, a State of Florida Driver's License (Class E or higher) is required at time of appointment and must be maintained valid throughout employment.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Depending upon the assigned department, this classification may be subject to grant provisions and employment in the classification will be subject to continued grant funding.

Candidates will be subject to a Level II background screening and may be subject to screening through the Florida Clearinghouse https://info.flclearinghouse.com.

Employees in this classification will be required to work various shifts, to include nights, holidays and weekends.

Veterans Preference: Veterans Preference is awarded in accordance with Florida State Statute 295.07. If veteran's preference is being claimed, it must be indicated on the application form and proper documentation, including all forms DD-214 (Member 4) and the applicable FDVA- Veteran's Preference Certification Form(s) in accordance with rule 55A-7.013 - Documentation of Preference Claim, must be submitted with the employment application.

Selection Preference for City Residents:

A. Utility bill dated within 60 days of the date of submission

B. Valid Florida Driver License or State-issued I.D.

C. Property Tax Statement dated within 1 year of the date of submission

D. Properly executed valid lease agreement

E. Homestead Exemption dated within 1 year of the date of submission

F. Motor Vehicle Registration dated within 90 days of the date of submission

G. Official school records or transcripts, dated within 90 days of the date of submission

H. W-2 (or 1099) Tax Form dated within 1 year of the date of submission

City of Miami residents are granted selection preference over non-City of Miami residents within the same ranking band resulting from an interview process.

Selection Preference:

Selection preference within the same ranking band resulting from an interview process will be granted in the following order: 1) preference eligible veterans, 2) active City of Miami employees, 3) City of Miami residents, 4) all others.

OPEN/NON-COMPETITIVE